Lazlo, founder of BlowUpRadio.com (an online radio station based around New Jersey artists), shines a light on some of the many new releases from NJ based musicians each week with this column. This week Lazlo takes a look at new releases by Hubbell Benson, Tony Lio, Jason Brown, Bride Riot, Squirrel, Jazz 300, Mike Montrey Band, Psychiatric Metaphors, Sean Connolly, Mars Kushi, and Ciara Zwicker. Plus a look back at "Keep Calm" by September's Ghost.

Hubbell Benson - "Phantom Frequencies". Brothers Charlie and Sam Guarino formed Hubbell Benson in late 2022. According to their bio, "Their brand of rock is part Zombies faux-jazziness, part early Elvis Costello bite, dipped in the vibrant production touches of MGMT." That's all checks, but the real heart & soul of their debut EP, "Phantom Frequencies" is their combination of catchy hooks and lush harmonies. I love it!

Tony Lio - Nyx (Feat. Lupe Dragon). "Temptation can come in many forms", says the description for Tony Lio's latest single, "Nyx (Feat. Lupe Dragon)". It is a powerful indie-rock song, and the addition of Lupe Dragon on the song, pairs so well with Tony's vocals.

Jason Brown - "Dirt Ballads". Jason Brown is very open about Woody Guthrie's influence on his music, and even states that his new album "Dirt Ballads" was inspired by Guthrie's conceptual album, "Dust Bowl Ballads". The songs on Brown's album are short, fun, peppy, folk tunes.

Bride Riot - "Burn the Altar". Bride Riot isn't a pop-punk band. This is something they make abundantly clear on their EP, "Burn the Altar". This femme punk band has got an edge to them, and it is so good!

Squirrel - "Supersonic Summertime". I don't think I can describe Squirrel's new album any better than he does, "Supersonic Summertime eschews the indie rock sound of the last album in favor of catchy indie pop hooks, lo-fi psychedelic textures, baroque string arrangements, and reverb-drenched surf guitars. The ultimate soundtrack for all your beach days, roller coaster rides, and fireworks shows."

I will just add that I enjoyed it immensely!

Jazz 300 - "Jazz 301". Jazz 300 is not a jazz band at all. On their latest album, "Jazz 301", they have a collection of finely crafted indie-rock, foul of hooks, and jangly guitars.

Mike Montrey Band - "Love, Time & Mortality". If you are unfamiliar with Mike Montrey Band, then I suggest you rectify that with the new album, "Love, Time & Mortality". There is a beautiful soulfulness to their Alt-Country/Roots/Americana sound that is captivating and moving.

Psychiatric Metaphors - "DEEP BREAK". Sam Taylor is Psychiatric Metaphors, and the Psychedelic Garage Rock that he puts out under this moniker is incredible!

Sean Connolly - "On the Rocks EP". What do you get when you combine folk with upbeat acoustic rock, and a hint of punk rock attitude? You get Sean Connolly's, "On the Rocks EP". I will take it straight up, no glass, just play it into my ear holes.

Mars Kushi - "BE YOUR OWN HERO". Mars Kushi's bio states, "After Experimenting with Alternative Rock, Pop Punk and R&B Mars intends on pushing the envelope further and giving the world what they need to hear." On Mars's latest, "BE YOUR OWN HERO", an alt-R&B-soul sound is crossed with some hip-hop, into a compelling album.

Ciara Zwicker - "A Lack of Silence". It has been just over 5 years since Ciara Zwicker's debut album, "18", came out. I'd say her follow up is long overdo, but some artists rush to put out a new album too quickly without letting the songs develop. The songs on "A Lack of Silence" are fully developed, and wonderful alt-pop-rock songs!

Not New, But Memorable Corner

September's Ghost - "Keep Calm". Has it really been 11 years since September's Ghost's debut album, "Keep Calm" came out? Yes it has (though they remixed it and rereleased it in 2017). The album is chock full of catchy alt-pop-punk tunes! And buried in the midst of the album is "Dizzy", a stand-out acoustic/electric, sing-along, that showed early on that this band was not your typical pop-punk band.

That's all for this week.

Remember BlowUpRadio.com, plays these and many other New Jersey based artists on our internet radio station, so please check us out. #SupportGoodMusic - If you like any of the above artists, please purchase their music from their site. And if you would like to be part of BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable, please send downloads or contact Lazlo at Lazlo-at-BlowUpRadio-dot-com. We're also on Mastodon at https://gardenstate.social/@BlowUpRadio

FEATURED EVENTS

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Wakeman & Son

Wednesday, March 25, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC)
30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631
category: music

 

¡Cubanismo!>

¡Cubanismo!

Wednesday, March 25, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music

 

Ari Hest

Thursday, March 26, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
category: music

 

The Ten Tenors – 30th Anniversary World Tour

Thursday, March 26, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music

 

Wooden Ships Band

Friday, March 27, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
category: music

 

 

EVENT PREVIEWS

West End Arts Center presents An Evening of Elton John

(LONG BRANCH, NJ) -- New Jersey Repertory Company's West End Arts presents An Evening of Elton John on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at 7:00pm in the West End Arts Center Auditorium. Broadway and cabaret's rising stars celebrate the legendary, Grammy-winning icon Elton John in an evening of his greatest hits.

Cryptid Records launches "Surviving the Music Industry" series

(PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- Philly-based Cryptid Records is a label where community matters, artists thrive, and contracts don't come with fangs. The team of professionals that run the operation – Jessie Bonney-Burrill, Sean Bonney-Burrill, Maddy Rose Weisman and Gabe Banford – have diverse backgrounds in music, visual art, mental health, and business strategy. Their passion for working with musicians and artists is evident in the album roll-out for Burning at Both Ends, the forthcoming LP from the label's first signing, rising independent artist Hit Like a Girl.

SOUP CAN Magazine to Celebrate Five Years With a Monumental Canniversary Event

(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- On Saturday, April 4, 2026 at 6:00pm, SOUP CAN Magazine will mark five years of magazine magic byhosting its annual "Canniversary" with a night engineered to feel like a main‑stage, stadium‑level celebration of the community that built it. Wild Air Beerworks will host the event, but the scale of the evening reaches far beyond the venue — this is a full‑force thank‑you to the readers, performers, and neighbors who transformed Soup Can from a DIY idea into one of New Jersey's most vibrant creative movements. In a show of collective power, the Canniversary aims to break their standing record of food donations by gathering over 1,100 pounds in a single night, all to benefit Mercy Center of Asbury Park.

Killer Queen to Perform at Scottish Rite Auditorium

(COLLINGSWOOD, NJ) -- Killer Queen, the award-winning UK-based Queen Tribute featuring the incredible Patrick Myers as Freddie Mercury, will perform at the Scottish Rite Auditorium on Friday, April 17, 2026 at 8:00pm. The group's ambitious twelve-week 2026 US Tour runs from April 16 to October 23. 

Looking for the Heart of Saturday Night? Eddie Skuller to bring the Ballads of Tom Waits to Hoboken

(HOBOKEN, NJ) -- Jersey City based singer Eddie Skuller will perform a personal tribute to the songwriting of Tom Waits on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at the 503 Social Club. Eddie returns for a night of classic Waits songs, interpreted by this skilled, masterful singer. A moving experience guaranteed!